INFERNAL AFFAIRS II
Hong Kong, 2003, 119 minutes, Colour.
Anthony Wong Chau- Sang, Eric Tsang, Francis Ng, Edison Chen, Shawn Yue.
Directed by Wai-keung Lau and Alan Mak.
Infernal Affairs II is a prequel to the original Infernal Affairs (which was remade and became the Oscar-winning film of 2006, The Departed, by Martin Scorsese).
This film goes back to the backgrounds of the two young men, one of whom became an undercover policeman, the other an infiltrator for the triads in the police force. It also focuses on the career of Inspector Wong (Anthony Wong Chau-Sang) and his influence in the recruiting of the undercover policeman as well as his commissioning the assassination of a triad chief. The other central character is Sam (Eric Tsang), a boss who is able to manoeuvre his way through loyalties and conspiracies in the drug trade in Hong Kong and in Thailand.
The film focuses on character as well as the machinations of the triads, especially the son of the murdered head, Hau (Francis Ng), a suave gentlemanly type in public, ruthless in private.
The film is also set against the background of the final years of Hong Kong’s place under British rule and the transition in 1997 to its independence while part of China. There was a third film, Infernal Affairs III, which took on the aftermath of the first two films.
1. The impact of the film, as a prequel? Better delineation of characters, situations? Explanations?
2. The Chinese background of the 1990s, the preparation for the handover from Britain to China, the political background, the police background, the triads trying to develop their empires before the transition? Consideration of moves outside Hong Kong?
3. The picture of Hong Kong in the 1990s, wealth, the police, crime, the police academy, the offices? The landscapes and seascapes of Hong Kong? The musical score?
4. The title, its ironies and internal affairs? Infiltration and corruption?
5. Inspector Wong, his role in the police, integrity, the discovery of the truth about him, his talking about himself, the discussion with Sam, his revelation of his wanting to destroy the triads, using any means possible? The triad wars? The irony of the contract on the head of the drug family? The importance of the death, the takeovers? His cover? His sending Yan into triads as undercover? His friendship and bonds with Inspector Luk? Luk challenging him? Hau and the video, incriminating Wong? His stances, the investigation, his wanting to go ahead, resignation? The changeover and his being asked to lead a task force? Luk and the discussion, his death in the car? The confrontation, with Sam, Hau and his death? His character, his future?
6. Sam, jovial, as a character, his being head of the company, his loyalties, alliances, changing loyalties? His wife and the relationship? His brother and his youthfulness? His friends in the company? Talking with them – and their alliances with Hau? Their later deaths? Sam and the threats to his life? His deals, drugs, going to Thailand, his wife – and her death? His new family in Thailand? His return, under protection, his discussions with Wong, his death being one way to incriminate Hau? The challenge, Hau’s death, his survival?
7. Mary, the contract on the head of the drug family, Sam’s younger brother, persuading him to go into the police force, his meetings with her, his infatuation with her, her love for Sam? His career, success, in the office? Infiltration and information? His contacts, the jealousy of Sam? Mary and her going to the airport – and the younger brother killing her?
8. The drug family, the death of the father, the meeting of the family, the decisions about the company, Hau and his taking over, his control, suave manner, ruthless? His blackmailing of the members of Sam’s company? His bond with Yan, the illegitimate brother? Yan becoming his associate? His assistant, going on missions, the police and the springing of traps? His killing his assistant – undercover policeman? His deals, the death of the group, his controlling Sam? Sam’s return, the testimony, Sam confronting him, his death?
9. Yan, his father, relationship with Hau? A policeman? Wong persuading him to go into the academy, his misbehaviour, jail, being ousted? The cover? The passing of the years? Assistant to Hau? The dangers? His reports to Wong, in the bus, in the cemetery? His providing the information on Hau?
10. The gangs, their individual characters, their leadership, their lives, being blackmailed? Their deaths?
11. The role of the police, corruption, infiltration? Information? Initiatives, the law? The transition to China from British protectorate?
12. The background to the first film? Leading into the third film?
